Yamanashi License Conversion: Walk-in Pre-screening, 16:00–17:00

The Yamanashi process: four stages from pre-screening to issuance

The order is: pre-screening → main screening and interview → aptitude test, knowledge test, skills test → license issuance. You cannot proceed with a conversion without completing pre-screening.

You do not call to book the main screening: after pre-screening, staff contact you at the number on your pre-application form (事前申請書), so fill it in carefully. After a skills test, the license is issued on a later day (by appointment).

Documents for pre-screening (bring copies of everything)

Pre-screening takes place at Reception 01 (受付01) on the 2nd floor of the General Traffic Center, and you must attend in person. Staff will ask you about your documents, so bring an interpreter if Japanese conversation is difficult. Documents you hand in are kept temporarily, and screening can take time depending on their content.

You need resident registration in Yamanashi (or a temporary stay there), a valid license from the issuing country, and a total of at least three months in that country after obtaining it. Nationwide since October 2025, a residence certificate (住民票) is required, and tourists cannot apply using a hotel address.

• Pre-application form (事前申請書), downloaded from the Yamanashi police site and filled in
• Your valid foreign driver's license
• A translation of the license made by the issuing authority, a consulate, or a body designated by the Public Safety Commission (such as JAF)
• Passports — from the one you used when you got the license to your current one — showing every entry and exit date for the issuing country (bring old ones too)
• An official document showing your current address (foreign nationals: residence card 在留カード)
• Entry/exit certificate from the issuing country (check with your embassy whether it is issued; if your country does not issue one, ask the police)

Examples of extra documents by country

Yamanashi police publish a list of required certificates by country (必要証明書類（国別）一覧). For pre-screening, bring the original and one copy of each certificate. Depending on the screening, papers not on the list may be required, or your application may not be accepted even if you have prepared them.

What to bring to the main screening and interview

At the main screening, staff check your documents and ask in Japanese how you obtained your license, to confirm whether you can convert. Bring an interpreter if Japanese conversation is difficult.

• Originals of the documents you brought to pre-screening
• Any additional documents staff asked for after pre-screening
• Foreign license, passport, residence card
• Residence certificate (住民票) issued within 6 months, no photocopies; foreign nationals need nationality, status, period of stay, residence card number and expiry date of stay (if your period of stay has expired, you cannot proceed)
• Two photos (within 6 months, front-facing, upper body, no hat, plain background, 3cm × 2.4cm; can be taken at the center for 800 yen)
• Personal seal (if you have one)
• Japanese driver's license (if you have one, including expired ones)

Fees (Yamanashi police official page)

You pay the test fee at the knowledge/skills stage, plus a vehicle fee if you take the skills test. An issuance fee is charged once you pass.

Test languages and exempt countries

The knowledge test (知識確認) follows the nationwide format since October 2025: 50 true/false questions, 30 minutes, pass with 45 or more. The Yamanashi conversion guide says the written test is available in 20 foreign languages besides Japanese; for mopeds only Japanese, English and Vietnamese, and for small special vehicles Japanese only (checked October 2026). Confirm your language at the main screening.

According to the Yamanashi flow chart, moped applicants from non-exempt countries take only the knowledge test, with no skills test. The skills test is passed with at least 70 of 100 points under the nationwide standard.

Licenses from "special countries" (特例国, recognized as having an equivalent licensing system) may be exempt from both tests. The Yamanashi list (as of 1 July 2024) includes South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, Germany, France and others, plus the US states of Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland and Washington. Indiana is exempt from the skills test only.

Under the nationwide rule, if you pass the knowledge test but fail the skills test, reapplying within six months of the knowledge test date waives the knowledge test (in any prefecture).

Location, contact and preparation

Location: 2nd floor, Yamanashi Prefectural General Traffic Center (南アルプス市下高砂825番地). Contact: Driver's License Division, Yamanashi Prefectural Police (055-285-0533, weekdays 9:00–17:00). There is a Tsuru branch office (都留分室), but license enquiries are directed to the Driver's License Division.

There are several stages, and failing the knowledge test means booking again. Use the waiting time to get used to the real format. menkyopass's practice exam uses the same 50-question, 30-minute format in Vietnamese, English, Chinese and Japanese.

FAQ

Related guides

• Japan License Conversion Process: 6 Steps from Booking to License
• Japan License Conversion Documents: Juminhyo, Translation, Passport
• Japanese Translation of Your License for Conversion: JAF, Fees
• How Much Does License Conversion Cost in Japan? Fees Explained
• Failed Japan License Conversion? Reapplying and the 6-Month Rule

Sources (in Japanese)

• 山梨県警察「運転免許Q&A」Q4 外国で取得した免許証の切り替え（2026年3月30日更新）
• 山梨県警察「外国免許を日本免許に切り替える手続きの流れ（チャート式）」（PDF）
• 山梨県警察「特例国一覧」（2024年7月1日現在、PDF）
• 山梨県警察「必要証明書類（国別）一覧」（PDF）
• 山梨県警察「住民票について」（PDF）
• 警察庁 丙運発第59号（令和8年1月8日）別添「外国免許等関係事務取扱い要領」